Outbreak Epidemiologist

• Phone Screening: Week of July 3rd
• First Round Interviews: July 10th
• Second Round Interviews: July 17th
• Language Proficiency Test: July 20th
• Reference Check: July 20th

• Investigates cases of communicable diseases and medical conditions of public health importance by obtaining laboratory results, medical record information, and illness details and exposure histories through case interview to attempt to confirm the infection and determine the source of infection.
• Investigates clusters and outbreaks of communicable diseases as the lead outbreak investigator, or assists regional epidemiologist (depending on type of outbreak, availability of resources).
• Provides consultative IP and disease control services (typically via email and telephone) to partners (such as congregate settings, businesses, child care providers) regarding appropriate outbreak and case investigation methods, and disease control measures.
• Develops exposure notification and case ascertainment communications regarding exposures of public health concern.
• Develops and maintains templates for investigation tools, such as food history surveys and other exposure surveys.
• Maintains access to investigative resources (e.g., login credentials for SurveyMonkey).
• Analyzes data collected as part of an investigation, including descriptive statistics, frequency measures, and measures of association using statistical software.
• Develops line lists and epi curves during OB investigations.
  

• Complete and submit documentation to CDPHE to open/close suspected and confirmed OBs.
• Develop and maintain internal tracking files for all open and closed OBs.
• Complete NORS forms for all OBs except person-to-person GI in limited settings.
• Complete Outbreak Summary Reports for all OBs except person-to-person GI in limited settings

• Monitors CEDRS surveillance data on routine basis to detect clusters and outbreaks of reportable conditions.
• Perform surveillance on internal OBs to ascertain trends in OBs, by person, place, and time.
• Tabulates outbreak metrics to be able to report how many open OBs are being managed at any given time.

• Provides updates on active OBs to Lead Epidemiologists on a weekly basis.
• Leads BCPH’s Outbreak Team, bringing together EM, EH, CHP, and other programs as necessary.
• Determines when to activate OB team and initiates activation via email/calls as needed.
• Monitors for surges in OBs and requests additional staffing or support as needed.
• Serves as a resource for health care providers, patients, and the public on communicable diseases, including diagnosis, laboratory testing, treatment, prophylaxis, control measures, sources of infection, and prevention strategies.
• Participates in the program’s 24/7 “epi on-call” rotation.
• Presents OB trend data to external partners/stakeholders and provides IP/disease control guidance about commonly reported pathogens (e.g., respiratory guidance to ECEs/schools in fall/winter, enterics & summer camps).

• Collaboratively works with EH to determine cross-programmatic needs during outbreak investigations; ensures clear and timeline communications between programs.
• Receive FBI reports from EH to determine if/when CD needs to investigate further.
• Maintains familiarity with protocols to order laboratory tests from the State lab, including collecting and storing specimens, ordering using LabOnline, coordinating with courier, and receiving results.
• Works with Communications to develop public-facing communications and media releases for outbreaks.
• Performs other duties, as assigned
• May be reassigned in emergency situations

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of Master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or related field and at least two years of experience public health, preferably in areas related to epidemiology and communicable disease prevention and control.

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record

• Must have ready access to reliable transportation that is readily available for travel during and outside normal business hours.
• Ability to travel to and work in various locations, as assigned.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours, as necessary.
• Ability and willingness to respond to sensitive situations 24/7 and to carry a cell phone.

• Bilingual in Spanish and English, demonstrated through a pre-employment standardized testing
• Reliable transportation that is readily available for travel during and outside normal business hours.

• Knowledge in the principles and practices of epidemiology as it relates to communicable disease surveillance, investigative techniques, conduct of outbreak investigations, and data management.
• Knowledge of relevant resources applicable to communicable disease prevention and control.
• Knowledge of and skill in providing epidemiologic analysis, particularly for descriptive epidemiology, frequency measures, and outbreak analysis.
• Computer literacy and skills relevant to existing agency systems. Must be able to function at a high level using word processing, email, and database entry and retrieval.
• Skill in demonstrating a cooperative, professional attitude to cultivate relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize workload to meet rapidly changing situations.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Ability to identify problems, work creatively to develop resolutions, and recommend corrective actions to supervisor, considering the impact of actions on the agency.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to provide excellent oral and written communications.
• Skill in conducting interviews.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and incident command systems (ICS) is desirable.
• Ability to work well independently, as well as part of an effective team environment.
• Skill in collaboration and team building.
• Knowledge of the principles for risk communication.
• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Compassionate attitude towards vulnerable populations, including drug users.
• Ability to travel to and work in various locations, as assigned.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours, as necessary.
• Ability and willingness to respond to sensitive situations 24/7 and to carry a cell phone.

Boulder County is a family-friendly workplace dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.